“I've never said it is normal,” Lisa argued. “It is much bigger as I've said. Gods wants us dead. How is it fair when I know or question the rules? Do they even matter? They are simple tools that one could drag, snap, forget, or stop caring about. Gods are like that. They could be ruthless and snatch rules in half. I would do it.”

“Fairness, huh?” David grumped, taking a small glimpse at the still curious-looking Ultium. “Centralis hunt you, and you know what I feel about them. This temple felt their forces numerous times. Many demons killed a bunch of their parties, Challengers, or expeditions too. Humans are enemies here. You aren't, but that Anatidae is something else. After seeing the potential trouble that could come out of Centralis, talent is worth taking well because it is a place filled with Blessed. Gods are involved with them, including all the troubles that come with them.”

“Doesn't concern me,” Lisa said dismissively. “This place is what, again? I don't want to think about Centralis anymore than we do.”

“Ugh... Right. Temple still stands. It will remain untouched. Why? Because we have Levandis and her armies that wouldn't back down no matter what. And here in the Depths, the Surface can get squished and trampled and none will care. It is what the difference between the locations and beliefs creates, so why not ask for some much better help? There might be other choices if what you said is true.”

“So what? Do you think they are fine with this thing and the unknown factors of Gods? What are you trying to tell me or yourself? Do you think I don't know all of that and beyond? I think you grew up after all, but forgot about me. You sound all that clever and afraid, but hidden in this place that is just part of the far vastness above or below. Perhaps you hadn't grown up after all. Just hiding to hope for a better tomorrow and grew up fat and blissful. How piteful.” She mocked him a little, which David didn't take that well into his head.

“Don't try me! Who knows what would happen here if I helped you? Would rules change? Would some Gods be angry with me? What about the already questionable Balance? Would the other Side change with my involvement? Will the Surface change? That is all possible even without rules put in place because Gods or Judges would get involved. At worse, that is. At less weight, something still might change. If something happens, that means taking advantage of the situation or something that we don't know. You didn't know it either. What would Levandis think? What Overords would do, and what Mindarch has in all of this?”

“What indeed. You afraid, or what?”

“Yes. For my money and profit. Yes,” David said the fact he trusted, or as if the matter of fact was simpler than that. “That's why you should trust me like I trust you. Tell me what you aren't telling. You always held up your tongue for something special, which gave your head advantages as information is power, closer to hearts and people. It is about your head again. You think too much about everything that sometimes don't see over your forehead. Taking it slowly or away is beneficial to us, and you don't have to be afraid. I won't tell a soul. Simple as that. Ultium will do so too.” He patted him on the shoulder, and Ultium nodded, half wondering about the Surface and what Encounter was like.

Lisa frowned, coming to a similar conclusion herself a while ago. So, she went over those details, bantering with David on more than a few occasions because he seemed to take her words much better after his last argument. He shocked her in many parts, notably by his knowledge and change of attitude that followed significant interest and change of pace. Even Ultium occasionally added some words or curious questions that either of them ignored or answered.

That went on for around an hour. Discussions were getting feisty even when Marthosh woke up all hurt and dizzy.

It was quite a long discussion to make up for the lost and unknown plans, as well as changes that were happening in Lisa at this time. Lisa put together rough legs of the plan, which then went through David, who contemplated, improved, or changed some of their aspects.

Lisa accepted some of them. In the end, she had to take his outlook because she was taking away something quite precious from him, and she wasn't entirely sure about doing something else as he suggested. Mainly, it was about Murai. He was the biggest variable, while her head was the second. Third was the rest of the things compiled into an endless pit of mess.

She was back at him, taking things away from him without a shred of shame. Even if everything succeeded or ended as a failure, she didn't feel like she was taking advantage of him.

He could refuse her after all, but perhaps it was all wrong.

She wasn't one to look for them. David looked for them first, which made it weird because he decided on helping or involving his company with Murai even with the Surface tension above, and not knowing a whole lot about it.

He ordered Marthosh to look for Murai while knowing it would be dangerous against the current situation, or Mindarch or others. That might be questionable or the strangest thing about everything.

David was always willing to take this gamble, with or without Lisa in the picture.

So after this hour of going over the plans, they reached a passable conclusion. Lisa talked enough, yet David was certain it was yet to be over. He knew her far well for that, and she didn't seem to be that different from the past either when one knew her past self. The way she talked, the way she looked at him like a fool, it all shuddered and excited him.

Their words and their time ended just in time because an hour was long enough for Murai to wake up.

Turning his beak in confusion around, Murai trembled, shivered, and felt wrong when he noticed a hoodie around his head and body. He almost forgot he had it, similar to how he had no arms.

He woke up as a duck again. Unsurprisingly. “What the hell is this? Sleeping and all... uh?” He mumbled in annoyance, squeaking in quacks, and noticing a conversation that seemed like a big deal. He heard something about districts, sectors, gangs, Surface, Hells, Mindarch, Centalis Kingdom, and so on.

Lisa hardly noticed him because this discussion with David was very concerning.

Someone else did notice a moving duck and a quacking duck. “Oh, Anatidae wearing clothes is awake,” Ultium shouted, pointing to the table where Murai forced his body to stand up.

He felt much better after this nap, but something disturbed him again. He wasn't sure what, or why his body felt all tensed up.

Shaking his body, the feathers swayed in wild motions before calming down. Most of them were hiding behind the hoodie anyway, apart from part of his neck, belly, or whole head if he hadn't gotten his hood on.

He noticed some souls and new surroundings that no longer seemed to be a Hellhole. Where was the rest of his food? Plate? What about that human kid who wanted to see him?

Was he kidnapped?

Well, he saw Lisa straight away, thanks to hearing her familiar voice that held no regard for him. “Lisa?”

“Oh, at last awake? Took you longer than I thought, even after death rushed around the corner,” Lisa shot him and Ultium a weird look. Ultium didn't know why she was like that. “Anyhow, we are in a different place for a good reason. I took the situation into my hands as I've said to you before. You fell asleep, so I didn't have a choice in taking over the reign, did I?”

“Hm?” Murai looked around, noticing a devil, a fat man, and a human kid sitting silently on the floor. “Plans? You said you wanted something, so... Whatever. I slept and ate well, but it wasn't worth much. I needed some rest anyway, so where is the rest?”

“Took them in for later,” She pointed at the ring beside him. “You glutton. We are working right now.”

“Oh, How reliable of you, unlike the usual. What have you found out anyway? Does this Gate has more restaurants? Meals? Specialties? How about some desserts?” Murai yawned at the end, uttering a higher-pitched quacking noise that everyone beside Lisa took for insanity.

David got a bit nervous after hearing it and even Ultium tensed up, thinking that a worthy challenge came up against him, while Marthosh didn't know if he should flee or take Murai under his arm again. Perhaps it would make this silly and crazy animal sleep again.

Murai was oblivious to their worries, even if his Soul Read seemed to be working. It was kind of dull after he woke up, and it wasn't as if he was interested in its Readings all the time.

He learned to ignore it when it mattered. Doing quick stretches, he jumped from the table, taking a seat right beside Ultium and David on the sofa. The sofa was a bit less comforting than the bed that Iris gave him, but it was enough for now.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

“The situation is more or less clear, apart from the mess that happened outside of our vision. You might say that I am still figuring things out. The result? I've got some Helpers for you, so cheer up,” Lisa described the best news ever.

David and Ultium kept looking at quacking Murai speaking to Lisa as if it wasn't normal. One side was clear to hear, while the other wasn't.

“W-what the hell... I thought of this as,” David mumbled, looking uncomfortable, while Ultium winced his body, trying to turn his face to the sitting Anatidae a handful distance away from him. He could attack anytime, any day, kill it in a heartbeat. He wondered about his choices. Could he strangle it? Peirce its heart? Wouldn't that be a waste of precious materials and ingredients?

“No worries, you two. I can understand him. That is all. Allow me to introduce him, then,” Lisa said. “Murai Hisagi is his unhinged name. He is Anatidae Panacea of Level 23. And someone that will be your little opportunity. Is that enough? I mentioned few things about him in the past hour, but I considered him to be less pivotal in my plans and our talks.”

“Less pivotal?” Murai didn't like how it sounded. Wasn't he way too important?

“What?! He has such a low level. What did he even accomplish at the upper Gates? Everyone will eat him alive here,” David said in half surprise and half uncertainly, even if he knew some general information about his time in Gate of Suffering, or Islands of Greatness. He knew what sort of enemies Murai defeated, but how or in what capacity was unclear in most of them. Still, David knew Murai was stronger than his Level and most rules suggested. Like most Anatidaes, it was a good idea.

As with most things about Murai, a lot of things were yet to be clear because Lisa didn't mention them. She kept blabbering about the plans without taking Murai to her mouth.

“His level is no concern to you, David. He is hunted by someone far stronger anyway, yet his time was enough to make him full and our plans don't change because he isn't napping, got it?” Lisa pointed them to the ring or his pouch that had most of their valuables.

At some point, she thought of keeping all of their loot on Murai, hiding it in his pocket so she wouldn't have to wear anything. She didn't want to lose the ring when her physicality turned incorporeal, forcing the ring away from her body.

She waited for a better chance for that. It's not like he could freely use the ring or that pouch anyway. Not until his mana turned to a new tide, or his Shaping would become better to make hands, or could his feathers become second nature to him, acting like hands? That was perhaps far too soon for that, considering how Anatidaes grew. She wasn't certain about the ways Anatidaes worked with equipment or artifacts, but she knew about their uniforms.

It wasn't all that important for her plans, nor was Murai someone who could change overnight.

When she felt validated to be his secretary, things got a bit difficult between her and David. She wondered what he would think about their plan or connection. When she thought about it further, she wondered why she even needed to think about it. She shouldn't, she knew. David was discreetly not one bit shocked about the way she and Murai worked together.

It was inevitable when he knew how Lisa lived.

Beside him was Blessed Anatidae. That was a more intense idea than lonely native Anatidaes, who were much more intense and insane than some former succubus, even if she had Queen Bloodline. Thus, David had various thoughts about Murai that hadn't escaped his mouth.

Though a forced secretary, Lisa was working for herself. Murai was far too important for her, but for her plans, it was a bit difficult to take him as something shocking. She knew this place might change the overall situation, and even if the world was upside down, she was uncertain about what his strength would accomplish in this place and time.

That was why Helpers were more important, even if their potential workable idea seemed like a stretch.

They could become hunted in numerous ways. Everyone could. It always turned strange in this Gate. It was no longer about Razmund alone, or it might be when he came here, so Lisa hoped David and his company would give her plans some chance that would shift some tension or dangers away. It was both against Razmund and this temple.

Hearing and seeing her face, David understood the gist of the situation, as well as overwhelming evidence there was something else going on. “Well, I still don't see any refusal in myself. What about you, Ultium?” David confirmed his Will, placing his palm on his shoulder that went above Murai.

“I... think it is good. What will happen is a wonder indeed, but so what? We as Lost Brothers can work and do all sorts of jobs. I never fled before something like this. So if anything happens, can I do whatever I or the boss wants? Seems like a norm to me. Like most Hunts, frankly, but bigger. Fun. Yeah. I am down.” He mumbled, hesitant because of close Anatidae or the creeping hope of adventure.

“You will probably get numerous chances to do all of that and above. For now, be a good devil and listen to David,” Lisa said. “Anyway, let me take charge of the remaining conversation next because Murai is clueless since he slept. I want to listen to me well, got it?” Lise fled from the chair, storming her head close to Murai, who looked at her in feigned bother.

“I have my ears. They work. Speak how you want,” He quacked as he felt his soft hoodie which was surprisingly comforting when he thought about it. He misjudged Amelius's gift.

“First, Boosts ceased to exist,” she said the worst thing first. “No idea how or why, but the world and the Will of the Battleworld have some issues right now. It seems to be a big problem that happened just a few hours ago. It already impacts a whole lot of problems that could mean various changes.”

Murai opened his beak, got to his feet, and screamed in honest shock. “What the fuck! Fuck!? Are you kidding?! Is this a joke? Don't kid me! I dare you.”

Both David and Ultium flinched to the other side of the sofa.

Lisa expected this. “I know how it feels, but is it an issue? It isn't as if you depend on them entirely. You take them as inevitable gifts, even if they are part of this world and Gods. You take what you can, but at the core, you shouldn't be worried about it. It is a fine idea to take it for acts and rewards that come upon your actions. They are all ours after the Boosts happen after all. They won't get refunded. That is a fact. But! Take it well. It wasn't the only thing that happened, right, David?”

David forced a nod and mumbled unhappily when Murai turned his head in his direction. “Yes... Yes. Take it well. No need for dramas.” David saw those crazy eyes and an unhinged little beak. He wasn't entirely sure if what he saw in those eyes was correct.

“What happened?” Murai asked Lisa again, still angry.

“Not sure, but the world above was put aflame. Boosts ceased to exist alongside readings and voices. This means that the rules are broken and people are unhappy. Everything combined is a mess that stopped the Order and balance of many things and people. Right now, Chaos rules. Like the Old World, I guess.”

“What Chaos? This world is so petty, tsch,” Murai sneered, unhappily grumbling.

“Do you know why everyone was afraid of you when they saw you?” Lisa asked.

“Because they feared me!” Murai brandished his wings, straightened his neck, and appeared as tall as he could.

Lisa rolled her eyes. “Without Order to clutch the living being, Boosts and Will of the Battleworld ensures the Order with iron fists. Strong people don't kill weaklings. It is incentivized they don't fight either. Weaklings don't go far and beyond what they can do unless some other rules like duels, stability, and some proper collision are put in place with rewards and rules. This all ensures fairness. It is what you have been feeling ever since you hatched. Everyone has it, but you.... well, it does put some wonder into the equation. You, your Encounter. This means that strong people don't oppose and radicalize others, since rules state that much, and if they do, some bad things happen. Without this voice and rules, anyone could hunt and do anything, and it has been integrated into this world for far too long. It is no wonder it can be terrible. Such things aren't fine for most places when powerful folks could run rampant. It could get rough. This world is far too hefty and nice to let it go. It gives power far too well to those that want it, so when it turns into chaos, I bet you can imagine what can happen.”

Murai frowned and backed his wings. “You mentioned some bits about it some time ago, so... what does that mean to me? I got some Boost at the end of the last Gate, so does that mean it stopped after I got to this Gate? Well, it is fine and disappointing. I fought like a maniac just to discover they no longer happen anymore. What about the Encounter? Is it still valid, or does it change?”

“Could be, but without any voice or clarity, no one knows for certain. Some folks on the Surface, mainly the godly churches, hope to resolve this whole problem by calming the people with messages and direct methods. It will get fixed, they said.” Lisa didn't lie; David gave her this assurance and knowledge.

“So the world turned to shambles because their treasure opportunities and voices are lost? That includes me, so what does that really mean?” Murai calmly asked.

“Yes. It affects everything, even this place. Boosts ensure the proper time, you see, so without it, a lot of things are weird. Yours is included, of course.”

Murai chuckled. Then he began to laugh like a crazy duck, tumbling on the sofa and shaking his wings and legs around, yet kept laughing. “This is hilarious! That is so good. Good. I can't stop laughing.”

“Is it fine in its head?” Ultium asked, half worried about the sofa and Murai.

“He will be,” Lisa assured them. “Now, back to where I was with you two. I need to get to the Sector 45. Ip'ur Mountain. None will tell a soul about it, got it?!” Lisa shouted the last part.

The pair nodded, while only one of them truly knew what this topic meant.

David didn't believe this was something normal. To have Ip'ur Moutnain as a target, something was terribly wrong with this.

Murai kept laughing and half-listening. He was curious about what went on, but it seemed the world turned into something nice. He found the happenings funny in all honesty. It involved him too, but he didn't care. If the entire world was without such complicated and ridiculous rules, he couldn't help but laugh because it all sounded fair and old.

It was as if this world got fixed instead, so he laughed at Gods and their plot, and at this world that stopped working right. If it was all wrong, then everything was right in a new way. Things just had to adjust to it. That was all. He was far too familiar with this, so he forgot some Boots and thought this wasn't something terrible after all.

Lisa was serious about her voice, so he trusted her. For the sake of her plans, she would manage this like she wanted, right? He wasn't even half certain what Lisa's revelation meant for this whole world, but he should understand it sooner or later. Lisa will make sure of it.

“Good to have clarity. What about the forces you have, David?” She asked.

“Well, I have some gangs in my name, but those shouldn't pose much meaning or trust. The Encounter could change it as well, or not in a limited use. It is still a wonder if it works, though trust and power, I have some options for you in a couple of trustworthy friends. I will vouch for them.”

“Is that so? Are they some strong individuals? It isn't you or Ultium alone, right?”

“Yes. Of course not. Lost Brothers is an old business, as I've said. Ultium, myself, and a few others are probably at the height of what you talked about. They could do it. They are trustworthy too, as I've helped them numerous times. But I may be mistaken since I don't get the other side of the Encounter, or what my involvement would change. What does it look like, exactly? I got the gist of his power and all, but what I've said still counts.”

“Got some ideas, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. We have a plan. I have no idea what that Side will do with the current happenings, but this temple is up to Mindarch too. They could change, so let's be patient and careful before acting up.” Lisa said, indicating the last word with quite importance.

“Careful?” David raised his brows, grimacing as if in doubt and fear. “I've read on Razmund long ago. He is a third-time visitor and taker of this Gate on the last two occasions. If you have some words that you've yet to tell, tell that too.”

“Plan. Sure,” she smiled like a devil, pointing at David and Ultium. “Rely on you to get enough time and power, get to Sector 45, then figure the rest then. I've said it. You too. We have no clues about our portal or if it even exists in the right place, right?

David forced a nod, still not believing that Ip'ur Mountain was the right target, but if Mindarch stated it, it must be true.

“So. yes. There is a plan,” Lisa replied, smiling.

“I like this simplicity,” Murai quacked in approval, ending his laughing and tumbling storm on the sofa. He got over the situation quickly, finding everything quite ridiculous, yet to his liking.

If nothing was under any rules, then wasn't that an utter freedom, and how many proper worlds and planets worked? No clutches or limits means and utter freedom. There was nothing to stop anything, which might be terrible for him, but he wasn't sure if it was right or not.

For once, he was certain this was much more dangerous than previous things. That went without a doubt, so he might trust others to help him instead. Perhaps more than he thought, so he accepted Lisa's plans, even if he hadn't heard them all that much.

Lisa didn't reply to him, looking at David instead. She put forth her palm, squeezed her sona, and turned her palm into deep azure flowing icy water. That was what her usually tensed-up body looked like.

“Price?” Her words implied a lot, but David didn't want to argue any longer.

He was still handling the ring he got from Ultium. She wanted it, he knew.